Job Overview
CNWL London Perinatal Service provides community perinatal mental health services in five boroughs, a Maternity‑Trauma and Loss Care service, and the Coombe Wood Mother and Baby Unit. The unit is a 10‑bed specialist inpatient service commissioned by NHSE, receiving referrals from across the country, usually from London and the South East. Staff include doctors, nurses, nursery nurses, therapists and support staff who deliver mental health treatment, infant care and development support, promoting lasting positive bonds.
Main Duties
- Act as named nurse for mums/birthing people, completing clinical care plans and risk assessments.
- Advocate for both the person and their baby’s needs, ensuring a holistic approach in line with best interests.
- Link patients with long‑term support plans in the community upon discharge.
- Complete clinical audits and report on findings.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns and collaborate with the ward and wider multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) to protect parents and infants.
- Provide kindness, responsiveness, professionalism and clear communication to patients, families, friends, carers and the MDT.
- Maintain accurate, timely and legible clinical records, in line with CNWL policies.
- Participate in supervision, annual appraisals and continue professional development.
- Engage in physical intervention training, including force techniques, and complete immediate life‑support.
- Support junior staff through mentoring, teaching and by setting a positive example.
Organisational Context
Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust is a large NHS trust offering opportunities for professional growth, training, supervision and career progression. Benefits include monthly supervision, annual development plans, support with revalidation and access to a wide range of training.
Key Competencies
- Patient Safety – use clinical judgment, conduct risk assessments, safeguard against abuse, recognize limits and ask for help, supervise others, maintain accurate records, comply with mandatory training, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
- Clinical Outcomes – deliver evidence‑based nursing care, assess risks and needs, advocate within the MDT, work autonomously, and lead by communicating, reflecting, and improving team practice.
- Patient Experience – collaborate partners, obtain consent, involve patients in decisions, refer to support services, reassure, and manage complaints swiftly.
- Supporting Yourself and Others – provide supervision, participate constructively in supervision and appraisals, use CPD funds, mentor student nurses, and contribute to an inclusive team culture.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
- Registered Mental Health Nurse or Student Nurse (MH) qualifying within three months.
- Numeracy skills for safe medication administration.
Essential Skills and Knowledge
- Effective communication with the MDT, presenting cases, handover, and documentation.
- Accurate record keeping (electronic and handwritten), adherence to CNWL policies.
- Comfort with sensitive discussions, assertive challenging when necessary.
- IT proficiency – electronic patient records, Microsoft Word for letters and reports.
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act, and quality improvement.
- Infection control, manual handling, consent procedures, medicine management.
- Teamworking: communicating effectively, being kind, reliable and enthusiastic; supporting team objectives and mentoring.
Desirable Criteria
- Evidence of CPD mentorship training, training relevant to mothers and babies, and child protection legislation knowledge.
- Skills in report writing, mentoring students or junior staff, and experience of supervision.
Previous Experience
- Essential: Experience in Acute Adult Mental Health Services or Perinatal Mental Health Services as a Band 5 nurse, student nurse or health‑care assistant.
- Desirable: Working with mothers and babies, group work, and supervision experience.
Attitudes, Aptitudes and Personal Characteristics
- Willingness to work in partnership with service users, families and professional colleagues.
- Role model embodying CNWL values: caring, respectful, empowering, supportive and authentic.
Additional Requirements
The role requires successful candidates to be able to engage in physical intervention training, including the use of force techniques, and to complete immediate life support.
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